FIREFIGHTERS and police officers are joining forces in a concerted effort to tackle arson as it is revealed it has cost taxpayers £10.8 million to deal with 2,681 attacks in the last financial year.

In recent weeks Cleveland Fire Brigade has been called to several fires which were deliberately set on the Eston Hills near Middlesbrough.

The Easter Arson Campaign is aimed at reminding people that arson is a criminal offence and challenging parents to know where their children are at all times and to look out for any signs of fire setting tendencies or behaviour, including the smell of smoke on their clothes.

Over the holidays the brigade and Cleveland Police will have a high presence in a number of areas including Eston Hills, the Tilery area of Stockton, Norton and Hartlepool’s Old Cemetery Road.

Phil Lancaster, director of community protection with Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: “Arson accounts for a huge number of fires across Cleveland and this is why the brigade continues to work closely with the police, other key organisations and local communities to put a stop to it once and for all.

“Arson ruins lives, communities and local businesses. We have just experienced one of the driest winters on record and if people deliberately start a fire outdoors it will spread very quickly, often destroying everything in its path.”

Inspector Chris Barker, from Eston Neighbourhood Policing Team, added: "Fires can get out of control so easily. It’s absolutely mindless to set anything alight deliberately and it’s important that people are aware of the dangers, especially from a young age, so that they aren’t tempted to get involved in something that could so easily turn into a tragedy.

“This is an issue that affects the whole community and has the potential to have real and significant effects on local people’s lives.

"Police would ask parents to take the time to discuss these issues with their children and discourage them from becoming involved with or associating with those who start fires.

"We would also ask the community as a whole to continue to assist the authorities by continuing to provide information that they might have to help us to identify and deal with those responsible.”

To report any suspected arsonists call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 in confidence. Alternatively, call the police non emergency number 101.